David Kocsis was born in Aurora, IL and began the study of piano at the age of 9. By the age of 13 he began concretize in the Midwest, and appeared twice with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Orchestra Hall under the direction of the late Fritz Reiner. When his parents moved to Georgia, David moved with them but soon after, enrolled at the Juilliard School of Music where he continued the study of piano under Rosina Lhevinne, and also began the study of composition under Robert Ward and Vincent Persechetti.

Study in New York was abandoned, and David returned to Atlanta and enrolled at Georgia Tech to pursue studies in chemistry. He continued concretizing on piano, appearing with orchestras in New Hampshire and Florida as well as locally with the Augusta Symphony. Music became an avocation when David pursued a career with Delta Air Lines, a career which lasted 35 years. During this time, he changed musical direction and began composing as well as beginning the study of organ, and organ building.

In composition, he completed the massive “American Requiem” for chorus and orchestra, premiered in Atlanta by the Choral Guild of Atlanta under the direction of William Noll. David has written several works for organ, including the Cantilene and “Reflections on the Passion according to St. Mark”, commissioned by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Symphonic works include the tone poem “The Mermaid of Balaton”, Symphony No. 1, and First Piano Concerto, all premiered by the Macon Symphony Orchestra while he was composer-in-residence.

David has also concertized on the organ in Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, Columbus OH, Atlanta and Florida, and retired from performing in April 2003 in order to concentrate on composition. Recently, he has written several smaller works, and has begun work on his Second Symphony.

David resides in Orchard Hill, GA with his wife Anne. He is currently organist at the First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, GA, and was longtime organist at the First Baptist Church of Griffin and First Methodist Church of Griffin. He is primarily responsible for the design of the organs at First Baptist-Griffin, First Methodist-Griffin, and St. Georges Episcopal-Griffin. Some of his other organ designs may be found at First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, GA and First Baptist Church, Ocala FL.